The President of the Republic addressed a message of condolences to the Interim President of Poland and Speaker of the Polish Lower House of Parliament, Bronislaw Komorowski, on the death of the Polish President, Lech Kaczynski, in an aircraft accident.

Following is the text of the message:

“Mister Interim President and Sejm Speaker,

It was with deepest regret that I received, this morning, the news of the tragic death of the President of the Polish Republic and his Wife.

We had, in the last few years, the opportunity to meet several times. I particularly recall the State Visit I made to Poland, at his invitation, in September 2008 and the warmth and friendship with which my Wife and I were welcomed by the presidential couple.

I was also aware of his looking forward to the Visit he would make to Portugal, next May, together with his Wife and which we awaited with such anticipation.

I recall President Kaczynski as an Individuality who very relevantly contributed towards the consolidation of Democracy and the Rule of Law in his country and to the construction of a modern Poland integrated in the European Union.

In this difficult period I wish to express to the Authorities, to the Polish People and to the mourning family, on behalf of the People of Portugal and in my own personal name, our feelings of deepest sorrow.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”